EspañolToyota Corolla Driver Died in Pacoima After Collision With Los Angeles City Fire Department Truck on San Fernando Road
PACOIMA, CALIFORNIA (March 30, 2025) – A man has tragically died in a car accident with a Los Angeles City Fire Department engine on San Fernando Road.
Los Angeles County officials are saying that the accident took place around 10:45 AM on Sunday. The driver of a Toyota Corolla was turning onto Terra Bella Street when they were struck by a fire truck.
Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. He was transported to Holy Cross in critical condition.
Despite the best efforts of medical staff at the hospital, he was later pronounced dead. The fire truck involved in the collision remained at the scene.
It appears that the Toyota was only occupied by the driver. A full investigation into the cause of the accident remains ongoing.
Liability for Pacoima Fire Truck Accidents
Car accidents involving emergency vehicles remain very common. According to the National Safety Council, “In 2022, 224 people died in crashes involving emergency vehicles. Half of these deaths were occupants of non-emergency vehicles (50%). Deaths among pedestrians accounted for another 22%, while emergency vehicle drivers represented 16% and emergency vehicle passengers accounted for about 8% of the deaths.” There are a number of factors that make fires particularly dangerous.
- Fire trucks have large blind spots that can obscure the vision of truck drivers.
- Fire trucks routinely travel through residential areas where pedestrians are often walking.
- Fire trucks routinely speed and perform other traffic maneuvers that are inherently dangerous, such as running red lights.
Depending on the facts of any case, a fire department could be liable for an accident involving one of their employees. When a fire department is responding to an actual emergency, they must use their lights and sirens as outlined in California Vehicle Code 21055. When a fire truck is not responding to an emergency, they must obey all traffic laws like every other driver. If the driver of a fire truck fails to exercise due care in a non-emergency setting to avoid hitting another vehicle, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. It is important that evidence is properly preserved after any fire truck accident.
- Surveillance footage that may have captured the accident should be reviewed.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- Medical records related to any injuries should be preserved.
- The actions of the firetruck operator leading up to the crash should be scrutinized.
Accidents involving emergency vehicles are often highly preventable. They may involve situations where emergency workers are operating with a reckless disregard for the safety of the public. Unfortunately, though, fire departments will often do everything in their power to deny liability if one of their workers is involved in a crash. This is why it is so important to have any accident involving a fire truck be properly investigated by an outside agency. The family of any person who died in a collision involving an emergency vehicle may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating Los Angeles County Fire Truck Accidents
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP extend our deepest condolences to the family of the man who died in this Pacoima fire truck accident. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other tragedies like this.
Do you need more information about a Pacoima truck accident? Our team of Los Angeles County wrongful death attorneys is here to answer any questions you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that fire departments are held accountable for their wrongful actions. Whether you just have legal questions or would like a free, independent investigation to get to the bottom of what caused an accident, we are here to help. You can contact us anytime at 626-799-9375.
